Spreadbury changes his mind

Phil B · Post by **Phil B** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 4:08 pm

Tony Spreadbury awarded a try today for Wasps, only for the verdict to be sent upstairs to the TMO. I am not happy with this - surely the TMO is for decisions the ref can't make, but if the Ref decides it is a try, using his judgement, surely it should not go the the TMO?

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 4:22 pm

I haven't seen the incident so can't comment on it specifically, but are you sure he signalled a try before going upstairs?

Or did he signal for the timekeeper to stop the clock? The signals can look similar.

As I say, I haven't seen the incident in question, so I am just guessing here.

kornboy130 · Post by **kornboy130** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:12 pm

nope - not having a go - becus you havnt seen it - but he blew the whistle, straight arm in the air "try given" - however - he was told by the touch judge to TMO it.

keef · Post by **keef** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:56 pm

i was only 1/2 watching it,but yes he did sort of give it then went to the TMO.cant see the problem with that myself,it was all in the space of seconds so...

Phil B · Post by **Phil B** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:58 am

My reasoning is that sometines the Referee is in a better position than any Camera - cameras are relatively fixed - and as we know can't always tell. If a Referee reacts instantly, as he appeared to do yesterday, then it's because his judgement is telling him something, and if he can't trust his own judgement, well should he be on the pitch?

As for your point Dave, I agree about the arm raising,and the time off signal, but it looked very much like a try signal.But who knows...

westy154 · Post by **westy154** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:49 am

Couple of points:

Spreaders did blow up, with his arm in the air to signal a try, but was then instructed by the touch judge, who was on the better side of the ruck to see, to refer the decision upstairs. But apart from upsetting the Wasps fans (Ha!), the time was already off, nothing was lost from the referral and (in my opinion)the right verdict was reached; it wasn't a try, he knocked on over the line.

Secondly, it may be worth taking a leaf of of Rugby Leagues book. When a player goes over for a try, the referee will run to the spot of the grounding, look over to both his touch judges, and if all three are happy there are no problems, the points at the ball and blows his whistle. A simple act like that would stop the Spreadbury incident occurring again.

fallingwithstyle · Post by **fallingwithstyle** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:33 am

Takes a big man to admit he may have got it wrong. Spreaders comes in for flak, but the game would be poorer for him not being there. Oh, and he's not Chris White, that's got to be in his favour.